Here in North Georgia ,  I have never seen a winter where our water has remained in the 40's and the color is stained to very stained (due to rain run off) for so long !

Based on these above conditions - what would be your top lure choices to throw to get bites on spotted and large mouth bass ?

I fish mostly stained water, and after a lot of rain, visibility (to humans) is often less than a foot. Under these conditions, I've had more success using a chartreuse-colored chatterbait, with a swimbait trailer, more than any other bait. I fish it slower (just fast enough to move the blade) when the water temp drops below 50. The bites can be very subtle so you really have to pay attention to your line.

Edited February 6, 201610 yr by BassNBarry
Better wording; avoid duplication of text

26 minutes ago, BassNBarry said:

I fish mostly stained water, and after a lot of rain, visibility (to humans) is often less than a foot. Under these conditions, I've had more success using a chartreuse-colored chatterbait, with a swimbait trailer, more than any other bait. I fish it slower (just fast enough to move the blade) when the water temp drops below 50. The bites can be very subtle so you really have to pay attention to your line.

I never use the chaterbaits but use crankbaits  agonizingly slow .

Looks like I need a chartreuse colored chatter bait for starters - probably with a gold blade as well !

I use Z man "Project Z" chatterbaits. It's been a great bait all year round, but I cry when I loose one as they are expensive.

Bladed jigs or spinnerbaits with a large single colorado/indiana blade.

A big Ole mop jig

Depending on the type of structure you are fishing, the large bladed spinnerbaits, slow rolled along the bottom, would probably be my first choice - if the water is as stained as you say. Vibrations are the key. Type of bait you use to achieve that presentation is less important, I believe.

Dark bladed jig with a trailer that has a lot of thump. 

How deep are you fishing?

It's really not what you're fishing but where. If I were you I would look for chunk rock or hard banks dropping off into water with some depth but close to a channel. Let's say 5 ft. plus but the deeper the better. Parallel the bank with a shad rap, rattle trap, blade bait, square bill, jerk bait with bright colors,the list goes on...I've had some great days with stained, cold water doing this. Bass will get right on the bank on warmer days. Keep vibration and slow retrieve in mind. 

What's working here is a weightless T-rigged Big Bite 5" Trick Stick Spinach Neon (TS531), slowly crawled along the bottom.

18 hours ago, Molay1292 said:

How deep are you fishing?

Less than 15' deep ... I like the idea of a slow rolled spinner with a singler big Colorado on it !